Discriminatory remarks not considered ‘negative campaigning’ — Comelec
Commission on Elections. File photo.
MANILA, Philippines — Amid controversial comments made by some election candidates, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said that discriminatory remarks are not classified as negative campaigning.
This is what Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said when asked if negative campaigning is now prohibited due to the implementation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-discriminatory and Fair Campaigning guidelines for the 2025 elections.
Garcia reiterated that negative campaigning is allowed by the Omnibus Election Code but it may be liable for other laws, such as libel or cyberlibel.
The Fair Elections Act allows publication of propaganda expressing support for or against a candidate or political party.
READ: ‘Negative campaigning’ allowed but keep it ‘classy’
“Violating the guidelines is not negative campaigning. It is a direct violation of existing criminal laws or election laws,” Garcia, speaking in Filipino, said in a press conference.
Negative campaigning
Garcia noted that countering an argument of an opponent with facts is an example of negative campaigning.
“But instead of offering facts or other interpretations, attacking a person instead of attacking their stance, principles, or plans for their town or city is considered as discrimination,” Garcia expressed.
He also said that the poll body has an obligation to implement other laws by including them in the anti-discriminatory guidelines. He added that the poll body will only intervene when a political or campaigning content can harm others.
The poll body has issued show cause orders to five local candidates so far for their remarks that can violate the Comelec Resolution No. 11116.
Pasig congressional bet Christian Sia was asked twice to explain his sexual jokes towards single mothers and his remarks on the physical appearance of his female assistant.
READ: Comelec declares election-related activities, venues as ‘safe spaces’
`Ugly’ nurses
Two show cause orders were issued against re-electionists Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia for his remarks on “ugly” nurses and Moro people and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan for his utterance against opponent Vilma Santos over her advanced age.
Davao de Oro 2nd District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga was also issued a show cause order on Wednesday over discriminatory remarks on a widow while Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote was asked to explain what appears to be his mockery on his ally’s cancer-stricken rival.
The Comelec resolution, promulgated last February 19, stated that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups and organizations, such as people that are part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community, indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), persons with disability, and women.
The poll body also released its supplemental resolution, declaring all election activities and venues as “safe spaces” and foul language as an election offense.
